Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

There’s a concern consumer choice is at risk with new rules changing the labelling requirements around gene editing.  The change will see New Zealand mirror the genetic technology legislation in Australia.  It'll mean food produced using new breeding techniques, including gene editing, will not need to be labelled as genetically modified unless it contains new DNA.  GE Free New Zeal...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 1st of August, as the final 24 hours of Trump's tariff deadline loom, federal tax economist Alex Durante joins Ryan to discuss what deals have been made so far, and the implications for countries who don't conclude negotiations in time.  And changes to the labelling of genetically modified foods have been green lit as New Zeal...

A banking expert believes new capital for Kiwibank will shift the dial but won't completely close the gap with its Australian competitors.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis has announced the bank's parent company is being allowed to raise half a billion dollars from private investors to help it close in on the four major banks.  Massey University banking expert Claire Matthews told Ryan Br...

One of our largest power companies sees the great potential in the Government's push for geothermal energy.  The Resources Minister Shane Jones' draft strategy lays out a goal of doubling its production by 2040.  Mercury Energy Chief Executive Stewart Hamilton says 20% of New Zealand's power already comes from geothermal.  He told Ryan Bridge it has great opportunities to decarbonis...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 31st of July 2025, The Government's given Kiwibank the green light for a capital injection from the private sector, Associate Professor at Massey University Claire Matthews tells Ryan Bridge whether it will impact banking competition.  The cost of flying to and from every airport in New Zealand is about to increase, Air Chathams...

Airlines have had another challenge thrown at them as our sole air traffic control provider hikes prices. Airways are upping fees for commercial airlines by an average of 17.7% over the next three years. However, it's acknowledged airlines are doing it tough and still recovering from Covid-19. Air Chathams Chief Executive Duane Emeny told Ryan Bridge as a state-owned enterprise, the Government hav...

They haven't said it explicitly yet, but one day soon, our KiwiSaver contributions will rise to 12% and Kiwibank will be partially sold to foreign buyers.  On the bank, Nicola Willis is flying a kite and talking about a potentially partial float of the stock exchange for the wee Kiwi battler. It needs capital to grow and take on the big banks. They're getting access to an extra half a bi...

Israel's rejected the UK's moves to recognise Palestine as a state at a UN meeting in September.  The UK and France will both do so, unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire.  New Zealand isn't among the 139 countries that recognise a Palestinian state, but last year Foreign Minister Winston Peters stated it's a question of when, not if.  UK and Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey told Ryan...

The short-term future of the ANZ Premiership is confirmed.  Netball New Zealand has signed an exclusive broadcast deal with TVNZ for next year, with the competition to remain in its current two-round format.  Governing body boss Jennie Wyllie's refused to confirm whether players will take a pay cut, but admits they'll likely use cash reserves to make ends meet.  Netball Players Asso...

Those with mortgages are bank-hopping at record rates, but not necessarily to get lower interest rates.  More than 3,500 holders switched nearly two and a half billion dollars of debt between loan providers last month.  It's the highest since records began in 2017.  Cotality Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson says it reflects a mix of factors including short term loans, minima...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025 Wednesday the 30th of July, 36 thousand nurses go on strike today, former Health NZ Chair Rob Campbell tells Ryan what he thinks needs to be done to reach an agreement with Health NZ. The ANZ premiership will soon be free to air on TVNZ, NZ netball players association Executive Manager Steph Bond shares her thoughts.  Cotality has d...

Belief a breakdown of trust between nurses and leadership is fuelling protests today.  Tens of thousands of nurses are striking for 24 hours over chronic workforce shortages, withdrawing labour from all Health New Zealand services from 9am.  Thousands of procedures and appointments have been postponed.  Former Health New Zealand Chair, Rob Campbell told Ryan Bridge people don't trus...

Brooke van Velden's anti-health and safety crusade's taken a rather bizarre twist - it's the plot twist nobody saw coming.  She's consulting the public on safe activities kids are allowed to do on farms, like watering plants and collecting chicken eggs.  It's a bit of an odd strategy, but the strategy seems to be that there's a potential problem with the law.  Anyone under 15 is tec...

Throwing in a CV and cover letter in response to a job ad may not cut it anymore, as young people face high unemployment rates.  Stats NZ data shows jobs filled by 15 to 19-year-olds dropped 10% in the last year – representing over 12 thousand roles.  The overall drop nationally is 1.2%.  Youth Inspire Chief Executive Zainab Ali told Ryan Bridge the tactical approach to training you...

Russia has yet to respond to the latest ultimatum from US President Donald Trump.   Trump says Vladimir Putin has between 10 and 12 days to make progress on ending the war with Ukraine to avoid sanctions.   That's shrunk from the 50 days he gave the Russian leader two weeks ago.   US correspondent Toni Waterman says there's been no official response from the Kremlin.   She told...

Health and Safety experts say the Government need to consider people's lives as they set to change scaffolding regulations.  Government officials are consulting with the construction sector on whether to relax certain rules on work site scaffolding, making them only compulsory in some situations. Construction Health and Safety Chief Executive, Chris Alderson told Ryan Bridge falling from heig...

If you've got an appointment at the hospital this week, you might want to check it's still going ahead.  Nurses are going on strike tomorrow from 9am for 24 hours. 4,300 surgeries and specialist appointments will be affected.  It's a complete withdrawal of labour. It's 36,000 nurses. It'll affect every place where Health NZ provides health or hospital care, and it's the middle of wi...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 29th of July 2025, Donald Trump's set a deadline of 10 or 12 days for Putin to make a deal with Ukraine, US Correspondent Toni Waterman has the latest.  Health and Safety experts say the Government need to consider people's lives as they set to change scaffolding regulations.  It's becoming increasingly difficult for young p...

Jordan and the UAE have begun airdrops into Gaza to deliver aid.  This comes after the Israeli military announced it’ll open humanitarian corridors into the strip and a tactical pause in three specific combat areas.  Geopolitical Analyst Geoffery Miller told Ryan Bridge that 25 tons of aid was delivered to Gaza overnight, but that it’s up to Israeli forces to cooperate and allow the aid...

Corrections staff are struggling to accommodate at-risk inmates as prison violence and aggression grows.  Staff accepted 12-thousand requests from inmates to be separated from the general prison population in the 2023 financial year.  Many do so because they feel unsafe or vulnerable, as more prisoners become gang-affiliated.     Corrections Association President Floyd du Pless...

Chris Bishop says we're sick of over-the-top cone use and expensive traffic management plans.  And he'd be right. They are so annoying and often, to the untrained eye at least, completely pointless.  They take a $100 job and make it a $1000 job.  So why is this till happening? Why are there still cones everywhere, when the government says NZTA's code of practice for traffic manageme...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Monday 28th of July 2025, approved requests for segregation in prisons has hit more than 12-thousand, Corrections Association President Floyd Du Plessis shares his thoughts.  Israel is allowing in more aid to Gaza, Geopolitical Analyst Geoffrey Miller explains how much fo a difference it will make.  Andrew Alderson has the latest on...

Belief politicians should have skin in the public health system game.   Health workers have signed an open letter asking MPs to voluntarily waive private healthcare for themselves and their families while in office.  It says healthcare becomes personal when politicians rely on the same EDs, waitlists, and services as everyone else.  Former Health NZ Chair Rob Campbell told Andrew Di...

Communities are voicing concerns over high strength beers being a 'court case in a can'.  The products are being sold as singles in supermarkets and liquor stores and are stronger than RTDs, ranging from 7% to 16%.  Communities Against Alcohol Harm have been raising the issue of the beers at a number of public hearings in Auckland.  Secretary Grant Hewison says the beers present a m...

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Friday 25th of July 2025, The Government's scrapped same day enrolments for general elections, Labour Justice Spokesperson Duncan Webb shares his concerns.  Should MPs have to use the public health system? Former Health NZ chair Rob Campbell shares his thoughts. Single bottles of beer are being sold with the alcohol contents of up to...